Based upon their scores, each state received a "core" grade (A, B, C, D or F), but some states received an additional "plus" or a "minus" for factors not reflected in the core grade, such as pending regulations or legislation. Only 17 states received a B- or higher.

After the insurance company first denied me birth control, I made an appointment with the Human Resources director. I assumed it was a problem with the insurance company. Boy, was I wrong. The director told me that birth control is something the university should never be expected to cover, and that I should be more responsible for my reproduction and "proud" of my child.

This week the Population Institute released its second annual report card on reproductive health and rights in the US, and the results were not encouraging. Thirteen states received a failing grade, and the US as a whole received a "C-" for the second year in a row.

In our plural society, Americans hold differing religious and moral views on these matters. I respect that and others' right to act on theirs and to preach them in churches and elsewhere. Nothing in current law prevents that.

It is maddening that the administration had to go to such extremes to placate the Church fathers, who dare to put "moral" and "money" as it applies to this deeply compromised institution in the same sentence.

Could this be the grand finale? The glorious death knell for the ugliest portions of organized religion and its relentless, impressive beat-down of the stubborn female species for lo these past 2,013 years? Can we at least hope?